An investigation is under way after a 10-year-old girl was injured when she was hit by an unmarked police car responding to a 999 call.

The collision took place in Holcombe Road, Tyseley, at around 7pm on Wednesday, but details only emerged last night.

It was initially feared that the girl had suffered a broken leg but she was later found to have bruising to her thigh and hip.

Police said enquiries suggested she had run into the side of the Audi A6 as it passed by her home as officers responded to an emergency call.

The car had its blue lights and sirens on and the force said the driver was “experienced, fully trained and certified to operate police cars at speed”.

The police driver has been suspended from driving duties while the collision is investigated.

Inspector Greg Jennings, from West Midlands Police, said: “The girl was very shocked by her ordeal and we wish her well on her road to recovery.

“Events like this are thankfully very rare but the matter has been referred to the forces Professional Standards Department who will probe the circumstances surrounding the incident. This is routine for collisions involving police vehicles.”

Following the collision, both officers had tended to the girl until paramedics arrived and are being kept up-to-date about her progress.